Audiences that tuned in for episode nine of Empire last night March 4, got more than a spoonful of drama, a duet with Delphine (Estelle) and Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and saw another side of Andre (Trai Byers). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Byers discussed the show and his upcoming scenes with artist, Jennifer Hudson.
In the interview, Byers talked about Andre's bi-polar disorder and how he approached the role.
"It was about playing the subtleties and letting other things affect Andre. There were some episodes where we didn't reference Andre's disorder at all; it was about remembering and letting the emotions of being the odd man out, always forgotten, never really given the full credit due affect him..." he told THR.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that in episode 10, Hudson plays a music therapist named Michelle. Byers had this to say about Hudson's dynamic on the show:
"She brings a purity with her as an actress into the role of Michelle that connects with the purity of Andre. Her light shines onto his light, and her light combines with his light, and it showcases the Andre that he can potentially be in a way that steps away from the needs of Empire Entertainment," he revealed. "It's a beautiful thing [because] it seems that Andre could have gone any way but went the way of the family, which kind of buried him, and there's so much more potential there. What can he do? He doesn't have to be a part of that world. I think that's encouraging, and she will encourage."
Hudson, who recently teamed up with Iggy Azalea, for single "Trouble," is expected to provide support to Andre through her character, Michelle, in episode 10.
According to People, Smollett revealed that Andre was sent over the edge by lack of support from his father, Lucious (Terrance Howard).
"The final step for Andre is the fact that his father doesn't come to visit him," Smollett revealed, according to People.
Catch episode 10 of Empire "Sins of the Father," March 11 on FOX 9 p.m. EST.
